INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE HIGH LITTLETON AND HALLATROW PARISH COUNCIL
Class 1 – Who we are and what we do
The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council meet once a month to discuss and make decisions/resolutions regarding various issues related to the parish. Depending on the matter, the Council may work in consultation with Bath and North East Somerset Council and other outside organisations.
The Council consist of 9 Councillors and the Parish Clerk. The meeting is held generally on the second Monday of the month at 7.00pm. Dates of future meeting can be found on the Council’s website. www.highlittleton.org.uk The venue is the High Littleton Primary School, Church Hill, High Littleton.
Class 2 – What we spend and how we spend it
The Clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer. The Accounts are run on an Income and Expenditure basis. The Clerk provides the Council with quarterly accounts as well as the end of year accounts. Once the end of year accounts are approved by the Council, they are inspected by an independent Internal Auditor. This is followed by the statement of accounts being submitted to the External Auditors. In August an advert is placed on the notice board advertising the availability of a copy of the accounts for a minimum charge. The External Auditor’s report is placed on the notice board when it is returned.
The Council commences discussing the budget in November for the following financial. Deciding on the projected Income and Expenditure the Council then set the precept in the following January.
The Council have in place Financial Regulations and Standing Orders which the Council review annually.
Class 3 – What our priorities are and how we are doing
The Council produce an annual report in May. The Chairman reports to the Council and public on the previous year’s events and achievements.
The Council produced the Village Design Statement in September 2003. This document was approved by Bath and North East Somerset Council as a Supplementary Planning Guidance. Also that year the Council produced a ‘Safer Walking’ document that sets the objectives of the Council, to improve safety for pedestrians in the Parish. Copies of both documents are held by B&NES
Class 4 – How can we make decisions
Decision making process and records of decisions are carried out in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, the Councils Standing Orders and the Council’s Financial Regulations.
Agendas are placed on the notice boards and the Council’s website three clear days prior to the meeting. Public are welcomed to attend the parish meeting and may address the Council in the Public Section of the meeting. The minutes of the meeting are approved by the Council the following month and are available on the Parish website and at the High Littleton Post Office.
Class 5 – Our Policies and Procedures
All resolutions made by the Council have a proposer and a seconder. The resolution is passed by a majority decision. This decision cannot be revisited for six months. All new expenditure is passed by a resolution.
All Councillors sign an acceptance of office and the Code of Conduct form when becoming a Councillor
The Council adhere to all equal opportunities policies and recruitment policies in the employment of staff. The employees of the Council have a Health and Safety policy that forms part of the employees’ contract
The Council is registered with Data Protection.
Class 6 – Lists and Registers
The Councillor must complete a Register of Interests. A copy is kept with the B&NES solicitor.
The Council hold an Asset register
Class 7 – The services we offer
The Council provide the following:-
Newsletter – issued approximately on a quarterly basis
Allotments in Highbury Road , Hallatrow
Christmas tree and lighting on the Triangle, Hallatrow
Grants to organisations within or connected to the parish
Seating – 2 benches
Three bus shelters
16 street and footpath lighting
Street cleaning
Grass Cutting
2 Christmas Trees Advise B&NES Departments on local requirements (including planning applications)
How this information can be obtained
The majority of the above information can be found on the Council’s website www.highlittleton.org.uk .
Hard copies can be obtained by writing to the Clerk: - Pauline Young, High Littleton Parish Council, PO Box 4230 , Radstock , BA3 5WR .
Costs
The cost for copies of information requested will be as follows:-
A4 photocopy at the current rate
Postage, packing and posting at the current rate
Search time at the Clerk’s current hourly rate